With a boost from $2.76 million in state investments, a New Jersey-based high-tech manufacturer plans to open a state-of-the-art facility in Northampton County in Pennsylvania and create 53 jobs, Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell announced on March 9.
Voltaix LLC is moving its specialty gas and chemical production operations to Upper Mt. Bethel Township, and will construct a production plant, warehouse and an office building at the Portland Industrial Park as part of a $22 million project.
"Voltaix's decision to move to Pennsylvania shows that our economic development programs continue to work," said Governor Rendell. "The jobs created over the next three years will offer great salaries. The township, county and state will also benefit from the company's presence here."
Voltaix is a leading producer of specialty materials that enhance the performance and manufacturability of microelectronics and photovoltaics. Voltaix materials enable logic chips to compute more quickly and solar cells to absorb a broader portion of the solar spectrum.
"This purpose-built facility in the Portland Industrial Park represents a major milestone for Voltaix. It positions us well to execute on technical and strategic initiatives in several high growth markets, and to provide our customers with higher capacity and improved redundancy," said Mark Wilkinson, executive vice president of Voltaix. "We look forward to working closely with the local communities as we establish and grow our manufacturing capabilities in Pennsylvania."
The project was coordinated by the Governor's Action Team, economic development professionals who work directly with businesses that are considering locating or expanding in the state.
The Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation worked with the company and the Governor's Action Team to secure a $2.76 million funding offer from the Department of Community and Economic Development for the project. The offer includes a $250,000 opportunity grant, a $1.86 million loan from the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority, a $500,000 loan from the Machinery and Equipment Loan Fund, $106,000 in job training assistance, and $53,000 in job creation tax credits.
"This company is an incredibly valuable addition to the Lehigh Valley region, and specifically for Portland Borough in Northampton County," said Phil Mitman, president and CEO of the LVEDC. "Voltaix is bringing high-quality, family sustaining jobs in a key manufacturing industry to our region. LVEDC was proud to collaborate on this project with the Governor's Action Team, Northampton County, the Bangor Area School District Economic Development Authority, and our other local partners."
